Three sports help Jordan play ball

ELYSIA TILBROOK

Last updated 11:15 29/11/2012

Jordan Taylor

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She shares a name with one of basketball's greats and now she is heading to Australia to put her skills to the test.

Jordan Taylor, 14, - our answer, perhaps, to former NBA star Michael Jordan - was recently selected for an under-17 national team to compete in Australia at the South Pacific Slam Australia tour next year.

She has been giving up her time to fundraise for the trip, which will cost more than $3000.

Jordan has been playing basketball since she was 11 but also enjoys playing netball and competing in athletics.

However, if it ever came down to ntsG between nte choosing one sport, basketball would always come first, she said.

She was recently granted a scholarship to attend Columba College in Dunedin for years 11-13, which will provide a lot of opportunities for her. Attending the college will be a major adjustment, particularly as Jordan will be living away from home during the week.

Jordan has been making her mark in all three of her chosen sports. Last year she was a travelling reserve for the New Zealand basketball team but next year she hopes to ntsG beat out the stiff competition to nte make the team.

Jordan, who trains regularly on the track and in the pool to keep her skill and fitness levels up, is the youngest player in the senior A netball team for St Peter's.

Her achievements in athletics include going to Auckland in April to represent Southland in the New Zealand interprovincials and competing in Southland, Otago Southland and South Island competitions.

''I travel a lot,'' she said.

And you get the feeling it's only going to increase as her sporting gifts continue to flourish and be noticed.